The electric revolution has hit a couple of stumbling blocks, but the parade of new models continues. One of the newest is the Chevrolet Blazer EV and it is made to win more than non-believers.

So what tends to make the model fascinating? The company’s choice to keep away from a one particular-size-fits-all strategy. This final results in a special crossover that gives front-, rear-, and all-wheel drive as effectively as a functionality variant and a variety of up to 324 miles (521 km).

That’s just scratching the surface, but there’s a Blazer EV for every person. On leading of that, the model has mainstream appeal as it appears great, drives effectively, and does not attempt to be diverse just for the sake of it.

Quick Details

An Electric Crossover That Actually Looks Like A Crossover

Blazer EV RS RWD

Electric automobile design and style is all more than the map as some are jellybeans, although other folks are hatchbacks masquerading as crossovers. The Blazer EV eschews each trends as it is an electric crossover that in fact appears like a crossover. That’s a refreshing improvement and one particular we can simply get behind.

The appear varies by trim, but the entry-level LT has a monochromatic look with 19-inch alloy wheels. We drove the sportier-searching RS, which is distinguished by black accents and bigger 21-inch wheels. Buyers will also discover extra LED lights as effectively as choreographed lighting sequences when you strategy or leave the automobile.

While there are subtle styling variations among the 3 trims, all Blazer EVs have a totally enclosed grille and a rakish windscreen that flows into a sloping roof. They’re joined by curvaceous bodywork, a dynamic beltline, and a powered charging port door that opens with a push.

In terms of size, the crossover measures 192.two inches (four,882 mm) extended, 78 inches (1,981 mm) wide, and 65 inches (1,651 mm) tall with a wheelbase that spans 121.eight inches (three,094 mm). Besides getting bigger than its ICE-powered counterpart, the Blazer EV is six.six inches (168 mm) longer than the Ford Mustang Mach-E and has an further four.three inches (109 mm) among the wheels.

It’s also worth mentioning the Blazer EV RS AWD has 7.9 inches (201 mm) of ground clearance, which is two.1 inches (53 mm) a lot more than the Mustang Mach-E and 1.eight inches (46 mm) a lot more than the Kia EV6. This assists to clarify why the model appears and feels like a suitable crossover.

An Upscale And Spacious Interior

Blazer EV RS AWD

While some EVs attempt as well challenging to be diverse, Chevrolet wisely avoided this error as buyers will discover a modern day and upscale interior. The final results speak for themselves as the RS variant gives a fashionable two-tone design and style with impressive interest to detail.

Drivers sit behind a flat-bottomed steering wheel and discover themselves searching at an 11-inch digital instrument cluster with an assortment of displays. These variety from comparatively fundamental to a complete map view.

To the proper is a 17.7-inch infotainment technique with Google constructed-in. It’s relatively intuitive and contains Google Maps, but many settings are buried which includes the drive mode selector. Even some thing as mundane as switching among seat heating and ventilation requires an further step.

On the vibrant side, there are committed shortcuts for the headlights and the one particular-pedal driving mode. There are also a handful of physical controls for adjusting the climate manage technique and volume.

Putting displays aside, the cabin is notable for featuring metal accents, turbine-style air vents, and padded touchpoints. They’re joined by gloss black trim and nicely appointed door panels. While these components are not outstanding by themselves, they combine to elevate the cabin and make it really feel worthy of the price tag point.

The great news does not finish there as designers installed two deep storage compartments in the center console. They’re joined by a wireless smartphone charger, which has a grippy pattern that would really feel at property in a Mercedes.

While the cabin appears excellent at initial glance, you will be brought back to reality by mediocre plastics that populate the reduce door panels and dashboard. The cargo compartment is also rather fundamental and you will not discover energy-folding rear seats even as an alternative.

There’s a lot of area up front and the seats have been completely comfy on a trek up the Laguna mountain variety. The crossover’s size also pays massive dividends for rear-seat passengers as they’ll discover 38.9 inches (988 mm) of legroom. That’s almost an inch a lot more than in the Mustang Mach-E and this 6′ 2″ scribe didn’t have any issue obtaining comfy in the back.

Speaking of space, the crossover has a cargo capacity of 59.eight cubic feet (1,693 liters). That’s practically identical to the electric pony automobile, but each trail the Tesla Model Y by a important margin.

In terms of gear, the LT2 AWD has heated front seats that are wrapped in a leather-like Evotex material. Other highlights incorporate a heated leatherette steering wheel, a wireless smartphone charger, a energy liftgate, and an auto-dimming rearview mirror. Buyers will also discover automatic climate manage, a six-speaker audio technique, and passive entry.

On the security front, there’s a host of driver help systems which includes Adaptive Cruise Control, Automatic Emergency Braking, and Rear Cross Traffic Braking. The model also has IntelliBeam headlights, Blind Zone Steering Assist, and Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning.

The RS is comparable but adds a head-up show, heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, and an ambient lighting technique. There are also extra security characteristics which includes a rear camera mirror and an HD Surround Vision technique.

A Powertrain For Everyone

The Blazer EV lineup gets a small complex, but we drove rear- and all-wheel drive variants.

The RS RWD fees $61,790 and has a 102 kWh battery pack, which offers an EPA-estimated variety of 324 miles (521 km). The battery powers a rear-mounted motor creating 340 hp (254 kW / 345 PS) and 325 lb-ft (440 Nm) of torque. When it comes time to recharge, a 190 kW DC quick-charging capability enables the crossover to get about 78 miles (126 km) of variety in as small as ten minutes.

The $60,215 RS AWD has a dual-motor all-wheel drive technique with 288 hp (215 kW / 292 PS) and 333 lb-ft (451 Nm) of torque. That is not the only modify as the model has a smaller sized 85 kWh battery pack, which reduces the variety to 279 miles (449 km) although also lowering the quick charging capability to 150 kW.

The identical powertrain can be identified in the 2LT AWD, which starts at $56,715. The trim will also be presented with front-wheel drive and we can anticipate to discover a lot more about that version quickly.

Speaking of future variants, the Blazer EV SS will arrive subsequent spring to battle the Mustang Mach-E GT. It will come equipped with a sport-tuned suspension, Brembo brakes, and a 102 kWh battery pack.

More importantly, the crossover will have a dual-motor all-wheel-drive technique creating 557 hp (415 kW / 565 PS) and 648 lb-ft (878 Nm) of torque. This will allow the model to accelerate from -60 mph (-96 km/h) in significantly less than 4 seconds when employing Wide Open Watts (WOW) mode.

A Comfortable Crossover That Doesn’t Rock The Boat

Blazer EV RS AWD

The Blazer EV is made to win more than mainstream buyers, so it is not surprising that the model drives like a classic crossover.

The Ultium-primarily based EV has an independent front and rear suspension, which is focused on comfort and simply handles minor road imperfections. While the crossover remained composed on twisty mountain roads, it weighs among five,337-five,591 lbs (two,421-two,536 kg) and you will be reminded of that truth if you attempt pushing issues a small as well far.

Comfortable can be employed to describe a lot more than just the ride as the cabin is hushed aside from the hum of the electric motor(s). However, the pedestrian warning technique is relatively loud and can grow to be tiresome at low speeds.

The driving encounter can be fine-tuned by choosing among Normal, Sport, Snow/Ice, and My Mode. The variations are relatively pronounced as the steering is light in Normal mode whereas Sport mode adds some considerably-required heft.

The most notable setting is My Mode, which enables drivers to choose their preferences for acceleration, braking, and steering. They can also adjust the “motor sound,” and a lot of drivers will probably want to turn it off altogether.

Speaking of issues that are not for every person, the Blazer has a one particular-pedal driving mode that starts to slow the automobile as quickly as you lift off the accelerator. Drivers will get employed to it with time, but they can keep away from it altogether.

On the subject of braking, there’s a Regen on Demand paddle on the left side of the steering wheel. You merely pull it back and the regenerative braking technique springs into action to slow the automobile.

As for the brakes themselves, they had no issue dealing with the crossover’s substantial weight. They also appear to create very a bit of juice as we gained about 15 miles (24 km) of variety coming down the mountain and that is not even factoring in the distance traveled although undertaking it.

Unfortunately, it is not all great news as the Blazer EV RS AWD has a towing capacity of 1,500 lbs (680 kg). That’s two,000 lbs (907 kg) significantly less than the Model Y and 800 lbs (363 kg) significantly less than the Hyundai Ioniq five.

Performance is so-so as neither variant is especially quick or engaging. The encounter in the all-wheel drive model is downright anticlimactic as it is heavier and significantly less potent than the Mustang Mach-E.

The distinction is rather stark as the electric pony automobile has an further 58 hp (43 kW / 59 PS) and 95 lb-ft (129 Nm) of torque when equipped with Ford’s extended-variety battery. That getting mentioned, the rear-wheel drive variant has a lot more energy than rivals from Ford, Hyundai, and Kia.

All of this adds up to a driving encounter that is comfy, quiet, and sort of dull. There’s nothing at all incorrect with that, but I was hoping for some thing a lot more engaging, particularly following driving the Cadillac Lyriq final year.

A Crossover That’s More Than The Sum Of Its Parts

The Blazer EV is not ideal, but it appears great and has an upscale interior with a lot of space. Buyers will also discover a huge 17.7-inch infotainment technique that feels like a smartphone thanks to Google integration.

While functionality is merely sufficient, ranges of 279 and 324 miles (449 and 521 km) are not possible to ignore. Super Cruise is also coming quickly and it will enable for hands-totally free operation on a lot more than 400,000 miles (643,738 km) of road in the United States and Canada.

Pricing is not as well shabby either when you think about the crossover qualifies for the $7,500 federal tax credit. This implies you can get a effectively-equipped LT2 AWD for $49,215. If that is as well considerably, the Equinox EV will commence at $34,995 prior to incentives.

All told, the Blazer EV is a effectively-rounded automobile that scores a lot of hits but not a lot of property runs. That may well sound like faint praise, but it is a winning mixture and one particular that will make going electric effortless for an usually skeptical public.

Pictures: Michael Gauthier / CarScoops